County approves traffic signal at intersection of Tierce Patton and Highway 43

The County Commission will consider spending $40000 for a traffic light and turn lanes on U.S. Highway 43 at Tierce Patton Road in the northern part of Tuscaloosa County in an effort to cut down on accidents at the intersection.

Robert Sutton | The Tuscaloosa News

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer

Published: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 12:24 a.m.

The Tuscaloosa County Commission voted Wednesday to spend $40,000 on a traffic signal to be installed in late spring at the intersection of U.S. Highway 43 and Tierce Patton Road.

But the commission was not happy about having to pay half the cost. County Commission Chairman Hardy McCollum said an agreement with the state that is required of local governments actually leaves the county liable for the intersection.

“We once again express our displeasure that we have to approach things in this manner — that the county has to indemnify the state on this project,” McCollum said. The state Department of Transportation for several years has required counties to pay half of such projects, but ultimately the county has no say, McCollum said. If the project is to happen, the county has to pay.

During the County Commission meeting Wednesday, McCollum directed Planning Department Director Farrington Snipes to draft a letter to the governor and the director of the Alabama Department of Transporation, letting them know their displeasure at the state's policy regarding joint projects like the intersection at Tierce Patton Road.

The project, however, is needed, according to the commission. The approved traffic light and turn lanes could cut down on accidents at the intersection. In recent years, multiple accidents — including at least two fatalities — have occurred at the site. Northport Police Officer Jimmy Jason Guin died Dec. 7, 2012, in a two-vehicle crash near the intersection. In 2008, 16-year-old Tuscaloosa County High School student Michael De La Garza was killed at the intersection.

“We've had a number of accidents and fatalities at that intersection, and the traffic volume warrants having a signal there,” said County Commissioner Stan Acker, who represents the area.

There are several subdivisions in the area near Lake Tuscaloosa and the population in the area has been increasing in recent years, Acker said, adding that many motorists use Tierce Patton Road to travel between U.S. 43 and Alabama Highway 69.

During Wednesday's meeting, the Commission also approved the replacement of a light that had been damaged at U.S. Highway 11 and Gainesville Road. The county will have to pay for 100 percent of the project, $5,700, because the signal was deemed unwarranted by the state, said County Engineer Bobby Hagler.

<p>The Tuscaloosa County Commission voted Wednesday to spend $40,000 on a traffic signal to be installed in late spring at the intersection of U.S. Highway 43 and Tierce Patton Road. </p><p>But the commission was not happy about having to pay half the cost. County Commission Chairman Hardy McCollum said an agreement with the state that is required of local governments actually leaves the county liable for the intersection. </p><p>“We once again express our displeasure that we have to approach things in this manner — that the county has to indemnify the state on this project,” McCollum said. The state Department of Transportation for several years has required counties to pay half of such projects, but ultimately the county has no say, McCollum said. If the project is to happen, the county has to pay. </p><p>During the County Commission meeting Wednesday, McCollum directed Planning Department Director Farrington Snipes to draft a letter to the governor and the director of the Alabama Department of Transporation, letting them know their displeasure at the state's policy regarding joint projects like the intersection at Tierce Patton Road.</p><p>The project, however, is needed, according to the commission. The approved traffic light and turn lanes could cut down on accidents at the intersection. In recent years, multiple accidents — including at least two fatalities — have occurred at the site. Northport Police Officer Jimmy Jason Guin died Dec. 7, 2012, in a two-vehicle crash near the intersection. In 2008, 16-year-old Tuscaloosa County High School student Michael De La Garza was killed at the intersection. </p><p>“We've had a number of accidents and fatalities at that intersection, and the traffic volume warrants having a signal there,” said County Commissioner Stan Acker, who represents the area. </p><p>There are several subdivisions in the area near Lake Tuscaloosa and the population in the area has been increasing in recent years, Acker said, adding that many motorists use Tierce Patton Road to travel between U.S. 43 and Alabama Highway 69.</p><p>During Wednesday's meeting, the Commission also approved the replacement of a light that had been damaged at U.S. Highway 11 and Gainesville Road. The county will have to pay for 100 percent of the project, $5,700, because the signal was deemed unwarranted by the state, said County Engineer Bobby Hagler.</p>